Gift — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb abbreviation /ˈgift/

Meaning & Definition of Gift

Gift (noun)

  1. a notable capacity, talent, or endowment
  2. something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation
  3. the act, right, or power of giving

Gift (verb)

  1. to endow with some power, quality, or attribute
  2. to make a gift of
  3. present

Gift (abbreviation)

  1. gamete intrafallopian transfer; gamete intrafallopian tube transfer

Gift (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something given to someone without expectation of a return

    "gave him an unusual birthday gift"

    similar: bestowal, comp, donation, donative, fairing (British), freebie, giveaway, handsel, lagniappe, largesse, present, presentation
    related: alms, benefaction, beneficence, benevolence, charity, contribution, dole, handout, oblation, offering, philanthropy, tithe, box (British), care package, foy (chiefly Scottish), grant, subsidy, remembrance, tribute, valentine, bonus, boon, windfall, courtesy, favor, generosity, sacrifice, gratuity, propine (Scottish), tip, award, prize, reward, dowry, bequest, legacy
    near: advance, loan, bribe, douceur, peace offering, sop

  2. a special and usually inborn ability

    "has a gift for making guests feel right at home"

    similar: aptitude, bent, endowment, faculty, flair, genius, head, knack, talent
    related: affinity, bias, disposition, habitude, impulse, inclination, leaning, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn, ear, eye, mind, nose, feel, hang, instinct, touch, way, capability, competence, facility, proficiency, skill, capacity, potential, power, forte, specialism, speciality, specialty
    near: disability, handicap, inability, incapacity, shortcoming, weakness

Gift (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to furnish freely or naturally with some power, quality, or attribute

    "gifted with an uncanny ability to persuade people to do things they ordinarily wouldn't"

    similar: bless, endow, endue, favor, invest
    related: equip, provide, supply, bestow (on or upon), clothe, confer (on), cover, accord, award, grant, empower, enable, enhance, enrich, heighten, bequeath, will
    near: dispossess, divest, strip, deplete, drain, exhaust, skimp, stint

Related Entry: Gift of gab (phrase)

Gift of gab is a different word from Gift. The synonyms below are for gift of gab, not for gift.

  1. the art or power of speaking or writing in a forceful and convincing way

    "He was able to sway the audience with his gift of gab."

    similar: articulacy (chiefly British), articulateness, eloquence, poetry, rhetoric
    related: expression, expressiveness, declamation, elocution, oratory, cogency, force, forcefulness, meaningfulness, persuasion, persuasiveness, ardor, emotion, fervency, fervidness, fervor, heat, intensity, passion, power, vehemence, warmth
    opposite: inarticulateness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Gift

The most common words with a similar meaning to Gift:

British: fairing
bestowal, comp, donation, donative, freebie, giveaway, handsel, lagniappe, largesse, present, presentation, aptitude, bent, endowment, faculty, flair, genius, head, knack, talent, bless, endow, endue, favor, invest

Related Words for Gift

alms, benefaction, beneficence, benevolence, charity, contribution, dole, handout, oblation, offering, philanthropy, tithe, box, care package, foy, grant, subsidy, remembrance, tribute, valentine, bonus, boon, windfall, courtesy, generosity, sacrifice, gratuity, propine, tip, award

Near Antonyms of Gift

advance, loan, bribe, douceur, peace offering, sop, disability, handicap, inability, incapacity, shortcoming, weakness, dispossess, divest, strip, deplete, drain, exhaust, skimp, stint

Word Forms of Gift

Inflections: gifted, gifting, gifts

Derived words: giftee (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Gift

Middle English, from Old Norse, something given, talent; akin to Old English giefan to give

First known use: 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Gift

Words & Phrases Containing Gift

gift card, gift certificate, gift economy, gift of gab, gift of tongues, gift wrap, gift registry

Frequently Asked Questions about Gift

What does "Gift" mean?

"Gift" means a notable capacity, talent, or endowment. As an a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, it is defined as: a notable capacity, talent, or endowment. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Gift"?

Other words for "Gift" include bestowal, comp, donation, donative, fairing, freebie, giveaway and handsel. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Gift" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Gift"?

There are 112 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Gift". Common alternatives include bestowal, comp, donation, donative, fairing, freebie, giveaway, handsel, lagniappe and largesse.

How do you use "Gift" in a sentence?

Examples of "Gift" in a sentence: "gave him an unusual birthday gift"; "has a gift for making guests feel right at home"; "gifted with an uncanny ability to persuade people to do things they ordinarily wouldn't".

Is "Gift" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Gift" can be used as a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "Gift" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Gift" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Gift"?

"Gift" is pronounced /ˈgift/.

What is the origin of the word "Gift"?

"Gift" comes from Middle English, from Old Norse, something given, talent; akin to Old English giefan to give. First known use: 12th century.